Need to Make some money with my Tractor.

[john_bud]

David,

If you are going to fly naked (no insurance), you may want to spend a couple bucks and register as an LLC (LLC #1). Put the equipment under a different LLC (LLC #2). Have LLC #1 rent the equipment from LLC #2. Set up separate checking accounts for LLC #1 and #2. If you are sued, it may help protect your assets (house, car, etc) from catestrophic losses.

With no ability to trailer, you do limit your service range. Probably to 30 miles (1-2 hour travel) range. If you are only working on weekends to cover payments, it may work out. Hope it does! Let us know.

jb

 

[heymack]

I agree with others, until you get a means to move the machine your options are severely limited. I don't know what smaller equipment operators are getting around here, but dozer guys want $100/hr.

 

[Dirthog]

Your comment about having the property owner have the lines marked and then be responsable for damages will not work! about all states have laws that state it is the CONTRACTORS responsable for the marking of lines and any damages incured while digging. The last One Call meeting I went to in Pa. they were saying the are going to start fineing the contractor if he does not call and hits something and the fines start at $5000 plus the costs for repair

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a 46 hp diesel tractor bobcat / Ingersoll Rand. I do not own a trailer and I am only available to work on weekends. I need to make enough money to make my tractor payment and maintance hopefully more.

You've also got to understand that what you want to do may not be possible.
If you cannot afford the machine without the extra work, you may have to consider other options...including selling it.

Just out of curiousity, why did you buy this machine?

 

[john_bud]

Your comment about having the property owner have the lines marked and then be responsable for damages will not work! about all states have laws that state it is the CONTRACTORS responsable for the marking of lines and any damages incured while digging. The last One Call meeting I went to in Pa. they were saying the are going to start fineing the contractor if he does not call and hits something and the fines start at $5000 plus the costs for repair

Good point about how states laws can differ. And how a $2,3,400 job can wind up costing you everything!

My point was to have the customer indemnify him, possibly have the contract reflect that the lower charge was for the customer picking up that indemnification.

"indemnify - secure against future loss, damage, or liability"

I am not an excavator, maybe the state laws won't allow that? But it seems that the state law makes the contractor responsible for paying the fines & repairs. The contract would then make the homeowner responsible for re-paying the contractor. Anybody know if that would work for David or is it just smoke up the ...

jb

 

[Dirthog]

My understanding from the meetings I have attended is it will not. The contractor is always responsible for any damages because he is the one that caused them not the property owner.

 

[Mith]

I'm thinking along the lines of Roy with this one. Sell what you have, and get something that doesnt have payments.
Not sure if this is an option for you, but there is a reasonable chance you will actually lose money working for others, or atleast while you are starting out.

 

[Mike120]

A guy down the road tried to save money by renting a backhoe to self-install culverts for a driveway across a drainage ditch. He clipped a fairly large telephone cable in the ROW and it cost him over $50K for the repairs. Most expensive driveway I've ever seen. Good reasons to hire contractors and get utilities marked.

 

[EddieWalker]

When I hire a guy to do some dirt work, I look for a few things. Reputation is a big one. A guy with a good reputation and lots of experience is at the very top of my list. That includes being reliable, efficient and being able to do the job when I need it done, to my specifications. Price is usually competitive and not as much a factor as when he can be there and how good of a job he'll do.

The guys I've hired all have dump trucks and trailers. They also have two skid steers that he and his brother run. They can come in and cut a pad for a house in a day. If dirt needs to be removed, they do that. Same with trash, branches and anything else on site that I need to have removed. If I need fill dirt, they take care of it.

When they leave, the pad is lazer level with drainage all around it.

For a days work, depending on the size of the pad, they charge $2,000 and it's done. It's not about what they charge, it's about getting it done and done right.

If you really want to make some extra cash on the weekends, become a handyman and do odd jobs for people. Clean up, repairs, build fences, whatever. Advertise in the local free classifieds and don't be too proud of what your time is worth when just starting off. I make two to three times what most people charge, but when I moved here, I was working for $10 an hour while building my reputation and client base.

If and when you can buy the trailer and truck to move your tractor, then you should consider working it. Right now,it's just something you might be able to offer as part of your services. If they like you and are impressed with yoru profesionalism and work ethic, then they will hire you to lots of different things. Even better, they will tell others about you!!!

Good Luck,
Eddie

 

[AlanB]

Eddie said it real well.

It is not one of those things where people will just start calling you, wanting work done.

I don't think we would have squat for work for our tractor if we could not move it. If you have to pay someone else to move it, it is going to eat the profits up quick.

If you can link with a spec home contractor, that may develop into some work, particularly if you could hook with one doing an entire subdivision, but you will find those guys usaully either have their own equipment, or the subs already have a Long term relationship.

Liability is no joke, and the damage you can do with a hoe can far outstrip the profit of any job. One of our buddies just bought a new hoe, and had a hook up with a plumber to do all his work. First job took out a main. Plumber left him hanging to pay the bill. Getting the homeowner to take the liability I doubt will fly if it actually comes to court.

Good luck, hope it works for you, I would look at doing what Eddie says, and just constantly promote yourself to others to develop business contacts.

Shop hard for your insurance. Different agents and companies can offer wildly different policies and prices. I know what a dump truck was going to cost for us to insure on liability, I cringe to think what it would be if I wanted to add our hoe onto the policy.